Capsule cleaning and polishing machine



1953 1.. H. MERRILL ETAL 3,105,986

CAPSULE CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13, 1963 FIG. 3

1963 L. H. MERRILL ETAL 3,105,986

CAPSULE CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I3 29 FIG. 4

INVENTORS:

LELAND H. MERRILL CHARLES F. oss

, ATT'YS United States Patent 3,105,986 (IAPSULE CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE Leland H. Merrill and Charles F. Brass, Chicago, 111.; said Bross assignor to said Merrill Filed Mar. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 264,790 9 Claims. (Cl. 15-21) This invention relates to machines for cleaning and polishing medicament-capsules.

Capsules containing powdered medicaments, in the process of their production by the pharmaceutical industry, tend to have a film or coating of the medicament adhere to the exterior of the capsule. If such a film or coating were not removed, before packaging, the capsules might have an unsightly appearance and the industry requires such capsule s be cleaned and polished before packaging.

The main objects of this invention are: to provide an improved machine structured for the facile and elfective cleaning and polishing of medicated capsules; to provide a capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine having an improved arrangement of a pocketed conveyor and coordinated, rotating brushes for exposing multiple rows of capsules to a thorough cleaning and polishing during their travel through the machine; to provide a capsulecleaning and -polishing machine of this kind having improved means for effecting the rotation of the capsules in the conveyor pockets; and improved means to prevent dislodgement of the capsules during contact with the brushes; and to provide an improved capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine of this kind which is exceedingly simple in construction and extremely efficacious in its operation, hence economical to manufacture and market.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawmgs:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a much-enlarged, fragmentary, plan view, partly sectional, of the machine shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the plane of the line 2'-2 of that figure;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the plane of the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse, sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the plane of the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional detail taken on the plane of the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the capsule-retaining screen which is adjustably positioned intermediate the capsule-pocketed conveyor and each of the pair of brushes to ensure retention of the capsules in the conveyor pockets during the cleaning and polishing action of the brushes; and

FIG. 7 is a very-much-enlarged, fragmentary view showing how each capsule is retained in its pocket while it is subjected to turning in its pocket during the cleaning and polishing action of the fast-rotating brushes.

The essential concept of this invention involves a one or more specially-structured combination capsule-turning-cleaning and -polishing brushes rotatably positioned over a multiple-pocketed linear-moving conveyor with interposed means for preventing the dislodgement of the capsules during their contact with the rotating brushes.

A capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine, embodying the foregoing concept, comprises a suitable supporting structure 11 whereon is mounted a pocketed conveyor 12, a pair of rotatable brushes 13 and 14 and a capsuleretaining element 15.

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The supporting structure 11 is diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 1. This comprises a suitable framework enclosed within side panels 16 and a top platform v17. Adjustable floor domes 18 ensure a perfect leveling of the machine on floors having some irregularities. At some suitable place on the side panel 16 is located a switch mechanism 19, cooperatively connected to a suitable source of current, for controlling the starting and stopping of machine motors.

The conveyor 12, here shown .only in dotted outline in FIG. 1, is in the form of pocketed flights 21 secured to suitable chains traveling over conventional sprockets 22, 23 and 24. The flights 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are rectangular plates wherein are formed series of transverse rows of capsule pockets 26. As these figures indicate there are nine rows of transversely-arranged pockets 26, which are shown to be of oblong contour. Obviously, the number and the contour of the pockets 26 would depend upon the character of capsule in need of cleaning and polishing. As shown in FIG. 1 the approach of the conveyor 12., between the sprockets 22 and 24 is inclined at 25. At this point would be arranged a suitable magazine structured and operated for the effective delivery of the capsules C into the pockets 26. This is standard in the prior art and forms no part of the present invention.

The brushes 13 and 14, as here shown, are identical in structure which is one of the two major aspects of this development. Each brush comprises a shaft 27 whereon is arranged friction disks 28 with interposed circular tufts 29 of fibrous stands of preferably soft cotton.

The shaft 27 is of a length to span the conveyor 12 and is journaled to the stub shaft 27' whereby to be disposed above the conveyor 12. The shaft 27 is driven through suitable pulleys 32 connected to a suitable source of power (not shown). The pulleys are enclosed by a hood 32. The disks 28 are formed of soft flexible nubber or a comparable friction material. In diameter the disks 28 are such that their peripheries will substantially contact the capsules C in the conveyor pockets 26 as the capsules C pass under each of the brushes 13 and 14. The contact of the disks 28 on the capsules C will be just enough to effect the turning of the capsules C as they successively pass under each brush .13 and 14. The axial spacing of the disks 28 on the spacer shaft 27a is such that at least two disks 28 will be in substantial contact with each capsule C in each successive row of pockets 26.

The fiber strands, which make up the tufts 29 between the disks 28 as well as directly outwardly of the end disks 28, are preferably lengths of conventional soft cotton string. The length of these strands is such that when fastened on the spacer shaft 27a, the outer peripheries of each circular tuft 29 is disposed slightly circumferentially outward of the peripheries of the disks 28. Thus, during the rotation of the brushes 13 and 14, the centrifugal force will tend to keep the free strand ends of the tufts 29 outwardly beyond the peripheries of the disk 28 (see FIG. 7), and thereby sweep over the exposed areas of the respective capsules C during the movement of the conveyor 12, to clean and polish the capsules.

Each set of strands of cotton string are anchored together by a collar 29' having an axial opening therein of a size slightly greater than the diameter of the spacer shaft 27a on which it is fixedly mounted. Also the shaft 27 is provided with a flange 27" on one end and a collar 27' on the other end to fixedly mount the brushes and disks on the spacer shaft 27a and also fixedly mount the spacer shaft 27a on shaft 27 for rotation therewith. Thus when the individual sets of strands of string are placed on the shafts with the soft rubber members 28 in between each set of cotton strands, the brush 13 is formed.

These brushes 13 and 14 are rotated, in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, so that the peripheral movement of the disks 28 and the tufts 29, of the fibrous strands, is opposed to the direction of the linear travel of the conveyor 12. The brushes 13-14 are rotated at high speed.

The capsule-retaining element 15, which is the other of the two major cooperating aspects of this development, here is shown as an open frame with a series of spaced, transverse parallel small-diameter-stout strings 33. A preferred structure of this element 15 is shown in FIG. 6. This comprises a pair of end angle bars 34 spanned by a pair of rods 35. As best shown in this figure, the end bars 34 are stamped sheet metal and provide an inwardlyextending flange 36 on the one part 37 of each bar 34. Each of these bars 34 has an aperture 38 substantially medially thereof for setting over a post 39 secured to the platform 17 of the supporting structure 11. (FIGS. 4 and 5.) At its opposite ends, each bar 34 mounts a set-screw 41 disposed for contact with the platform 17 to adjust the position of the strings 33 relative to the capsules C in the conveyor pockets 26 when the capsules pass under the brushes 13 and 14, as will be explained presently. A lock collar 42, with a set-screw 43, on the end of each post 38 secures the respective bar 34 in a position determined by the turning of the set screws 41.

The rods 35 have fixed along one edge thereof a series of outwardly-extending headed pins 44 to which are secured the strings 33 (FIG. 6). The spacing of the strings 33 between the bars 34 is such that two of the strings 33 are disposed over each pocket 26 in the transverse series in the flights 21. The vertical adjustment of this open frame element 15, by the turning of the screws 41, ensures such a positioning of the strings relative to the capsules 26 (FIG. 7) as will preclude dislodgment of the 7 capsules during the turning and sweeping-polishing contact of the disk 28 and the tufts 29 of fibrous strands, respectively, as the conveyor moves the capsules past the brushes 13 and 14.

Each such structured capsule-retaining element 15 is positioned on the platform 17 so that the longitudinal median of the element is disposed substantially in the vertical plane through the axis of the shafts 27 and 27a of the brushes 13 and 14, respectively.

Shields 45 are positioned over the respective brushes 13 and 14 and connected to air-suction equipment (not shown) for drawing off the particles of matter that are swept from the capsules C by the brushes 13 and 14.

The operation of this improved capsule-cleaning-andpolishing machine is as follows:

Upon initiating the movement of the conveyor 12, by actuation of the switch mechanism 19, capsules C from a suitable magazine (not shown) will accumulate on the inclined part 25 of the conveyor 12. Here the capsules C will fill the flight pockets 26.

As successive, transverse rows of the conveyor-pocketed capsules C approach each brush they will be substantially contacted by two of the strings 33 on the retaining element 15 (FIG. 7). Such contact will prevent dislodgment of the capsules C from the pockets 26 as the capsules pass into and out of contact with the rotating disks 28, to effect a turning of each capsule in its pocket, and the sweeping action of the tufts 29 of fibrous strands. The rotation of each capsule of course is turbulent because of the high rpm. the shaft is rotating. This turbulence would, with the restraining element, cause dislodgment of the capsules from their respective pockets 26. The retaining element 15, is adjustable vertically by the turning of the set screws 41 and fixing the collar 42 on the posts 39. This therefore allows adjustment for various sized capsules as should now be obvious.

Before, during and after the direct contact of the disk 28 with the pocketed capsules C, the free ends of the fast 50 tionship, and

rotating tufts 29 of fibrous strands will sweep the exteriors of each row of capsules clean of any accumulated powdered medicament and eficct a polishing of the exterior surface of the capsules.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A capsule-cleaning and -polishiug machine comprising, a conveyor having 'a linear series of capsule pockets, a cylindrical brush rotatively journaled adjacent the conveyor for peripheral contact of the brush with the cap sui es in the conveyor pockets, said brush comprising a plurality of axially-spaced friction disks interposed between tufts of circularly-arranged fibrous strands, the disks being diametrically-dimensioned for substantially frictional contact with the capsules in the conveyor pockets to efiect the turning thereof in the conveyor 7 pockets during the relative movement of the conveyor and the disks and the fibrous strands being dimensioned slightly greater in diameter than the disks whereby the peripheral portions of the tufts of fibrous strands tend to extend beyond the peripheries of the disks so as to sweep and polish the capsules during the rotation of the brush and the travel of the conveyor and an element fixedly interposed between the conveyor and the brush for retaining the capsules in the conveyor pockets during the 0 rotation of the brush and the linear travel of the conveyor.

2. A capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the capsule-retaining element comprises a stationary frame spanned by strings disposed in the line of travel of said conveyor with at least two of said strings to retain each capsule in its pocket during the sweeping and polishing thereof by said tufts of fibnous strands and rotation by said disks.

3. A capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine com- 40 prising,

(a) a conveyor having a successive series of transversely-arranged capsule pockets, and (b) a shaft mounting a plurality of disks,

formed of frictionmaterial uniform in diameter, fixed to the shaft in axially-spaced relatufits of fibrous strands, uniform in length, fixed at their inner ends to the shaft between the disks, with their free ends extending beyond the peripheries of the disks, and ournaled adjacent the conveyor to dispose the peripheries of the disks substantially in contact with the capsules in the conveyor pockets a plurality of disks,

formed of friction material uniform in diameter, fixed to the shaft in axially spaced relationship, and tufts of fibrous strands, uniform in length, fixed at their inner ends to the shaft between the disks, with their free ends extending beyond the peripheries of the disks, and journaled adjacent the conveyor to dispose the peripheries of the disks subs-tantially in contact with the capsules in the conveyor pockets to effect the turning of the capsules in the conveyor pockets and cause the free ends of the fibrous strands to sweep and polish the capsules during the relative movement of the conveyor and the disks, (0) an open frame spanned by a plurality of strings spaced in parallel relationship, supported between the conveyor and the shaft-mounted disks and disposing the strings inline with the travel of the conveyor with two or more strings immediately adjacent each capsule, whereby the capsules are retained in the pockets during the sweeping and polishing thereof by the free ends of the tufts of fibrous strands. 5. A capsule-cleaning and -polishing machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the frame support is adjustable relative to the capsule and conveyor and the brushes to ensure appropriate positioning of the frame strings to retain the capsules in their pockets during rotation thereof.

6. A capsule-cleaning and polishing machine comprising,

(a) a supporting structure, (b) a conveyor mounted on the supporting structure for linear travel and having successive series of transversely-arranged oblong capsule pockets, (c) a pair of shafts each mounting a plurality of disks,

formed of friction material uniform in diameter, fixed to the shaft in axially-spaced relationship, and tufts of fibrous strands, uniform in length,

6 fixed at their inner ends to the shaft between the disks, with their free ends extending outwardly beyond the peripheries of the disks, and journaled on the supporting structure adjacently above the conveyor to dispose the peripheries of the diskssubstantial- 1y in contact with the capsules in the conveyor pockets to effect the turning of the capsules in the conveyor pockets and cause the free ends of the fibrous strands to sweep polish the capsules during the relative movement of the conveyor and the disks, and (d) pairs of open frames each comprising angle bars supported by transversely-spaced rods spanned by groups of parallel strings, and positioned on the supporting structure between the conveyor and the respective shafts and disposing the strings in line with the travel of the conveyor with two or more in substantial contact with each capsule, whereby the capsules are retained in the pockets during the sweeping and polishing thereof by the free ends of the tufts of fibrous strands.

7. A capsule-cleaning and polishing machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the pairs of open frames are secured to the supporting structure to permit vertical adjustment for altering the position of the strings above the and in relationship to the capsules in the conveyor pockets.

8. A capsule-cleaning and polishing machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein each open frame is secured to the supporting structure by posts, fixed on the supporting structure and extending upwardly through medial apertures in the respective angle bars, and pairs of set screws, threaded into the ends of the respective angle bars for contact with the opposed faces of the supporting structure, so that the turning of the set screws adjusts the position of the respective strings immediately above the capsules in the conveyor pockets.

9. A capsule-cleaning and polishing machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein each post mounts a lock collar on its upper end above the respective angle bar for securing the respective bar in adjusted position relative to the supporting structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A CAPSULE-CLEANING AND -POLISHING MACHINE COMPRISING, A CONVEYOR HAVING A LINEAR SERIES OF CAPSULE POCKETS, A CYLINDRICAL BRUSH ROTATIVELY JOURNALED ADJACENT THE CONVEYOR FOR PERIPHERAL CONTACT OF THE BRUSH WITH THE CAPSULES IN THE CONVEYOR POCKETS, SAID BRUSH COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY-SPACED FRICTION DISKS INTERPOSED BETWEEN TUFTS OF CIRCULARLY-ARRANGED FIBROUS STRANDS, THE DISKS BEING DIAMETRICALLY-DIMENSIONED FOR SUBSTANTIALLY FRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH THE CAPSULES IN THE CONVEYOR POCKETS TO EFFECT THE TURNING THEREOF IN THE CONVEYOR POCKETS DURING THE RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE CONVEYOR AND THE DISKS AND THE FIBROUS STRANDS BEING DIMENSIONED SLIGHTLY GREATER IN DIAMETER THAN THE DISKS WHEREBY THE PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF THE TUFTS OF FIBROUS STRANDS TEND TO EXTEND BEYOND THE PERIPHERIES OF THE DISKS SO AS TO 